The Church of England has voted to allow women to become bishops for the first time in its history. Its ruling General Synod gave approval to legislation introducing the change by the required two-thirds majority.

This will end several centuries of blatant discrimination against women in the Church of England and acknowledge that women have a key role to play in all aspects of society today. Now all we need is for the Roman Catholic church to end its discrimination against women, abolish its ludicrous stance on celibacy for priests and abandon its ridiculous stance on contraception ( something that many catholics have ignored for years)……..then we will be making progress.

A previous vote in 2012 was backed by the Houses of Bishops and Clergy but blocked by traditionalist lay members. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said he was “delighted” but some opponents said they were unconvinced by the concessions offered to them.

The crucial vote in the House of Laity went 152 in favour, 45 against, and there were five abstentions. In November 2012 the change was derailed by just six votes cast by the lay members. In the house of Bishops, 37 were in favour, two against, and there was one abstention. The House of Clergy voted 162 in favour, 25 against and there were four abstentions.